PB allows Davide to ask for money from PNoy

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Board approved yesterday the proposal authorizing Governor Hilario Davide III to ask financial aid from the Office of the President for welfare assistance and social services projects for indigents and the disadvantaged.

The PB convened for a special session yesterday to tackle four important matters, including the said proposal to ask aid from the Office of the President or the Department of Budget Management.

The measure proposed “to authorize Hon. Governor Hilario Davide III, on behalf of the Province of Cebu, to request funding assistance in the amount of P20 million from the Office of the President and/or the Department of Budget and Management for hospital, food, educational and other welfare assistance and social services for the indigents and disadvantaged.”

However, Board Member Alex Binghay suggested to increase the amount to be asked from the Office of the President.

“Why don’t we pass for P50 or P40 million? Considering that the province is so big, I think P20 million is not enough,” Binghay said.

PB member Peter John Calderon, the author of the proposal, agreed that the P20 million may not be enough and increasing it to P50 million might be better.

Still, Calderon explained that the amount has already been approved in principle and the approval of the resolution is part of the requirement for the amount to be released to the provincial government.  Calderon said there is nothing wrong with asking for more considering that it would benefit the whole province.

The resolution was approved as amended by the PB. (FREEMAN)